Pin and ball handling mechanism with cyclically movable separating means



Jan. 10, 1967 J. M. ERNST ETAL 3,297,322

PIN AND BALL HANDLING MECHANISM WITH I CYCLICALLY MOVABLE SEPARATINGMEANS Filed May 13, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 vQ M TEN m .NQ. RN

{MHz 0 ATTORNEY Jall- 1967 J. M. ERNST ETAL 3,

PIN AND BALL HANDLING MECHANISM WITH CYCLICALLY MOVABLE SEPARATING MEANSFiled May 13, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 m? :E- ii tlfi tKNMQQ 3% 5: W MN Q QQ 5 s V am Q w W M Eu m I S a. NWMML NWN Ii g H 1 5 V gs mg g Q EN 3 kP. E .35 RN 3 2 in A z 5 3 g k 3 Q VJ. ,W n v M w r\ \V Q\@ 1 -L m 01ATTORNEY Jan. 10, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 13, 1963 FIG. 3

U 2 0 H fi 0 l m 0 4 M 2 .0 0 H J m M 2 OJ INVENTORS JOHN M. ERNST BgOHN ZUERCHER I? M- ATTORNEY 1967 J. M. ERNST ETAL 3,

PIN AND BALL HANDLING MECHANISM WITH CYCLICALLY MOVABLE SEPARATING MEANSFiled May 13, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Q NM a, Q 1L1? ATTORNEY J. M. ERNSTETAL PIN AND BALL HANDLING MECHANISM WITH CYCLICALLY MOVABLE SEPARATINGMEANS Jan. 10, 1967 Filed May 13, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 o 5 0a K95 MFIG. 7

ATTORN EY United States Patent PIN AND BALL HANDLING MECHANISM WITHCYCLICALLY MOVABLE SEPARATING MEANS John M. Ernst, Shelby, and JohnZuercher, Mansfield,

Ohio, assignors to American Machine & Foundry Company, a corporation ofNew Jersey Filed May 13, 1963, Ser. No. 279,870 20 Claims. (Cl. 273-43)This invention relates to the game of bowling, and more particularly toimprovements in mechanism for handling bowling balls and pins in the pitof a bowling alley and effecting a rapid separation of balls and pinsand speedy delivery of balls back to the player at the approach end ofthe bowling lane.

In the game of bowling it is always desirable to return the ball to abowler as soon as possible. However, as a result of rolling each ball ofa frame, the number of pins falling into the pit and their relationshipwith a ball may be such that the movement or delivery of the ball out ofthe pit may be delayed and even pin and ball jams may occur. Hence,under such circumstances, the return of the ball to a bowler, and theplay of the game may be delayed. The present invention constitutes asolution of these problems and insures that each ball will be returnedto the bowler with the greatest possible dispatch, even if a ball andpin jam should occur.

The novel results obtained by the invention are accomplished byproviding an oscillating member, such as a vertical rudder which islocated midway between the kickbacks of two adjacent bowling lanes whereit may serve one or both lanes. The kickbacks are provided with openingsor doors through which a ball may roll from the pit of a single bowlingalley or through which balls may roll from the pits of two side by sidebowling alleys into the range of operation of a bowling ball lift, suchas an endless belt and ball track combination wherein a ball is rolledby an endless belt along a track to an elevated point of discharge forreturn by a bowling ball runway to the approach end of the bowling lane.The rudder is moved back and forth between the opening and the kickbackso as to effectively prevent pins from entering and interfering with theoperation of bowling ball lift or elevator. If for any reason a pintends to move through an Opening or door in a kickback when there is noball ahead of it, or ahead of a ball, the oscillating rudder will pushthe pin back into the pit so that the conveying mechanism in the pit canconvey such pin into the pin elevating mechanism of the machine whenceit is delivered to the pinspotter. The ball then can travelunobstructedly through the opening or door in the kickback and be raisedby the ball elevating mechanism. As a ball rolls through an opening in akickback it passes beneath a pivotally mounted driving roller having africtional driving surface which propels the ball forwardly intoposition to be engaged by and lifted by the ball elevator.

It is an object of the invention to provide a novel bowling pin and ballseparating mechanism and ball handling device including an oscillatingrudder located between the kickbacks of two side by side bowling laneswhich separates ball from pins and ensures the rapid return of a bowlingball to the head end of the lanes.

The invention is further characterized by the provision of a novelbowling ball handling mechanism which is located in the space betweentwo side by side bowling lanes wherein there is provided an oscillatingplate which operates to separate pins from balls and with novel balladvancing means which coact to control the movement of balls into therange of operation of a ball elevating mechanism located between the twolanes.

The invention also consists in the provision of a novel bowling ball andpin separating and handling mechanism "ice which includes means fordelivering bowling balls into the range of action of a ball elevatingmechanism and also a moving displacing member located between thekickbacks of two lanes or exteriorly of one of the kickbacks of a singlelane, which is operative to control the movement of balls from the pitsof either of the two lanes or the single lane into the range ofoperation of the bowling ball lifting mechanism for rapid return to thehead or approach end of the lanes or lane.

The invention is further characterized by the provision of novel pin andball handling mechanism which affords a rapid separation of balls andpins in the pit of a bowling lane, and one in which balls are deliveredout of the pit to a ball elevator and pin and ball jams are practicallyeliminated.

With these and other objects not specifically set forth in view, theinvention consists in certain combinations and constructions which willbe hereinafter fully described, and then set forth in the claimshereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of the specification, andin which like characters of reference indicate the same or like parts:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional side elevation illustrating a preferredembodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a partial plan view taken on line 2-2 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional end elevation taken on line 3-3 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional front view of the driving mechanism taken online 4--4 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a plan view showing a preferred form of ball and pinseparating mechanism.

FIGURE 6 is a view taken on line 66 in FIG. 3 illustrating theconnection of the ball displacing element with respect to an opening inthe kickback of a bowling lane.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional end elevation taken on line 7-7 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view of FIGURE line 8-8 of FIGURE 7.

The mechanism embodying the invention can be used with any type ofbowling pinspotting machine or bowling installation in which thekickback of a bowling lane is provided with an opening or ball doorthrough which. a ball may roll out of the pit of a bowling lane into therange of operation of a bowling ball elevating mechanism which effectsthe return of the ball along a bowling ball return runway to the headend of the bowling lane, The present invention can be used with either asingle bowling lane or with two side by side bowling lanes in which theadjacent kickbacks are provided with openings through which balls mayroll into the range of operation of the ball elevating mechanism. In thedisclosure herein, the invention is shown in operative relationship withtwo side by side bowling lanes, which are served by automatic bowlingpinspotting machines. The machines which can be used are many but it hasbeen found that the mechanism embodying the invention works verysatisfactorily with a bowling pinspotting machine of the type disclosedin Holloway et al. Patent 2,930,616 granted on March 29, 1960, or with amachine of the type disclosed in copending Congelli et al. application,Serial No. 195,926, filed May 18, 1962, and now Patent No. 3,245,684. 7

Referring to the drawings, FIGURE 1 discloses a bowling lane designatedgenerally A, on which pins designated generally P are located in usualplaying arrangement. Pins and 'balls falling into pit 2 are received ona pit conveying mechanism comprising an endless conveyor 4 which extendstransversely across the pit from inside wall of kickbacks K to K.Conveyor 4 runs on driven pulley 6 and over driving pulley 8 fixed toshaft 180.

7 taken on One kickback K of each pair of kickbacks is provided with aball door or opening 12 formed at a suitable position along the lengthof the kickback between the end of bowling lane A (or B) and the rearportion of pit 2. As shown in FIGURES 1, 2, 5 and 6 opening 12 islocated in front of backstop or cushion 14. The bottom edge of backstop14 which extends transversely across pit 2 is located above conveyorbelt 4, a distance less than the maximum diameter of a bowling ball, butgreater than the maximum diameter of a bowling pin, so that pins P canreadily pass rearwardly beneath backstop 14 to a point of discharge fromconveyor 4 into a pin elevating mechanism (not shown).

As indicated in FIGURE 2, 'backstops 14 are inclined somewhat diagonallyacross each pit 2 and act to assist in directing a ball which may strikethereagainst back into position to roll through opening 12 into therange of operation of the ball elevating mechanism 48 shown in FIG- URES1 and 2. Backstop 14 may be similar in construction and operation tothat shown in Zuercher Patent 2,815,954, granted December 10, 1957.

Referring to FIGURES 2 and 6, it will be seen that pins P and balls Ddrop into pit 2 from alley A (or B) and are carried rearwardly in pit 2in the direction of arrow C by the upper lap 5 of conveyor 4. Locatedbeneath upper lap 5 of conveyor 4 are bounce boards 16 which extendtransversely across pit 2 between kickbacks K. The ends of each bounceboard 16 are attached to brackets 18 secured to resilient blocks 20,preferably made from rubber, secured to the outer walls of channels 22attached to brackets 24 mounted on kickbacks K.

As shown in FIGURES 2 and 6, bounce boards 16 are spaced longitudinallyfrom each other a short distance, as at 26, for the major part of theirlength. This spacing provides a groove into which a ball on conveyor 4may depress upper lap 5 thereof, and thereby provide a guide fora ballrolling across a pit 2 into an opening 12 for delivery therethrough tothe ball elevating apparatus. Adjacent each ball door or opening 12,bounce boards 16 are provided with diverging or tapered portions 28 sodisposed as to form a V-shaped space 30. This construction serves tolocate a ball properly for movement through a ball door 12. A suitablyshaped plate 32 secured to the under sides of bounce boards 16 limitsthe extent of downward depression of lap 5 of conveyor 4 under theWeight of a ball as it rolls into space enroute to a ball door 12. Italso serves as a support for the ball until it passes through opening12. Straps 34 (only one of which is shown) attached to bounce boards 16secure them in proper longitudinally spaced relationship.

Each bowling ball delivered through an opening or ball door 12 servingalley A or alley B is conveyed upwardly by a ball elevating mechanism,designated generally 40, from its point of delivery to the ballelevating mechanism to a point of discharge onto a return runway,designated generally R. Ball elevating mechanism comprises a frame Fincluding an endless belt conveyor 42 running upon driven pulley 44 anddriving pulley 46. Driven pulley 44 is rotatably mounted on stub shaft48 supported in the spaced arms of yoke 50 which forms an integral partof sleeve 52. Driving pulley 46 is rotatably mounted on stub shaft 58supported in the spaced arms of yoke 56 which forms an integral part ofrod 54. Rod 54 is slideably or telescopically coupled to sleeve 52. Theconstruction and operation of frame F may be generally similar to thatdisclosed in Zuercher Patent 2,931,651 granted April 5, 1960. As shownin FIGURE 4, belt 42 is substantially T shaped in cross-section. Thestem of the T rides in a central groove in each of pulleys 44 and 56.

Referring to FIGURE 1, it will be apparent that due to the manner inwhich it is supported by levers and 72, frame F can swing upwardly andaway from track 68 whenever a ball B is engaged by belt 42 for rollingthereby upwardly along track 68. The normal position of belt 42 relativeto track 68 is as shown in FIGURE 1. At this time the space between thelower portion of belt 42 and track 68 where a ball D moves into therange of operation of belt 42 and track 68 is such that as soon as thisoccurs the ball under the propelling influence of belt 42 is rolledupwardly along track 68. The geometry of the system is such that,although in its normal inoperative position the upper ball elevatingportion of belt 42 is spaced from track 68 a distance less than thediameter of a ball, levers 78 and 72 allow frame F, and hence belt 42carried thereby to move upwardly and away from track 68 such that a ballis firmly, yet resiliently gripped by belt 42 on track 68 and rolledthereby upwardly to station II where it is deliver onto runway R. Rubberbumpers 77 mounted on plates 79 attached to kickbacks K are engaged byshaft 78 to limit the downward extent of movement of frame F relative totrack 68.

Sleeve 52 carries a collar 60, preferably formed integrally therewith,against which one end of encircling spring 62 presses. A collar 64 onthe upper end of rod 54 (see FIGURE 1) is engaged by the other end ofspring 62. In this manner spring 62 is operative to maintain propertension in belt 42. Pin 66 which secures collar 64 to rod 54 extendsinto slot 67 in plate 69 carried by collar 60. This arrangement, inaddition to maintaining pulleys 44 and 46 in alignment, insures that,should belt 42 break, frame P will be held in assembled relationship.

Belt supporting frame F formed by yoke 50, sleeve 52, yoke 56 and rod 54is supported in operative relationship relative to ball track 68 bymeans of levers 79 and 72, as shown in FIGURE 1. Levers 70 and 72 areformed generally in the shape of an H (not shown). Each lever has atransverse central member (not shown) and two pairs of spaced parallelarms extending in opposite directions therefrom. The construction oflevers 70 and 72 may be similar to that shown in the above referred toZuercher Patent 2,931,651. The construction of these levers forms nospecific part of the invention, and further description and showing,therefore, are considered to be unnecessary.

One pair of arms of lever 78 is supported on a shaft 74 having its endsmounted in brackets 76 (only one is shown) attached to the two adjacentkickbacks K between which ball elevating mechanism 40 is installed foroperation. The other pair of arms of lever 70 is pivotally connected tothe ends of pin 78 supported in bracket 80 fixed to rod 54.

One pair of arms of lever 72 is pivotally mounted on a shaft 82 havingits ends suitably supported in two spaced adjacent kickbacks K whichsupport shaft 74. The other pair of arms of lever 72 is pivotallyconnected to the ends of pin 84 extending outwardly from opposite sidesof bracket 86 which, as shown in FIGURE 1, forms an integral part ofyoke 56.

It should be noted that during its engagement with ball D, belt 42 issubjected to tension, and also spring 60 is compressed. Thus, when ballD reaches the top of track 68 and is delivered onto runway R, it ispositively propelled or pushed by belt 42 and frame F along runway R.Only a portion of runway R is shown in FIGURE 1. It should be clear,however, that the portion shown constitutes what is commonly known asthe downsweep section of a ball return runway. or that portion alongwhich a ball rolls downwardly from an elevated position en route to theapproach end of a bowling alley. The propelling effect of belt 42 on aball D insures that at all times, regardless of its weight, it will havesuificient energy to travel the entire length of the ball return runwayand come to rest finally in a ball storage track adjacent the approachend of the alley.

In the illustrated embodiment, track 68 includes two spaced rods ortubes 88spaced apart a suitable distance to form a supporting trackalong and upon which balls are elevated from a receiving station I to adelivery station II onto runway R. As shown in FIGURE 1, track 68 has alower straight portion adjacent station I and an upper curved sectionadjacent station 11. The upper ends of rods 88 are attached to plate 90secured to cross bar 92 fixed to standards 94 mounted on kickbacks K.The lower ends of rods or tubes 88 are attached by screws 96 to bracket98 secured to brackets 100 mounted on kickbacks K. Rods or tubes 88preferably are covered with a frictional surface covering, such asrubber tubing, which aids in the elevation of balls from receivingstation I to discharge station II.

As best shown in FIGURES3 and 5, each ball door or opening 12 isprovided with a curved bracket 102 having a flange 104 which seats intoopening 12, and a flange 106 at right angles thereto by. means of whichbracket 102 is attached by screws (not shown) to the outer wall of akickback K adjacent opening or ball door 12. Bracket 102 also isprovided with a third or support flange 108 formed at right angles toflanges 104 and 106. Each support flange 108 is provided with aplurality of open end slots 110 for a purpose described more in detailhereinbelow.

When a ball passes through an opening or ball door 12 it rolls onto afiller support 114, curved to conform with the arc of the opening 12,extending across the space between kickbacks K. As shown in FIGURE 3,filler support 114 is triangular in cross section so that in effect aball will roll uphill as it moves to the center of the space S betweenkickbacks K. This construction allows any pins which may have enteredspace S on support 114 to slide and/or roll on support 114 out throughball 1 doors 12 back onto conveyor 4 for delivery to the pin elevatingmechanism (not shown). It should be noted further that a ball can stillroll up the incline 116 of filler support 114 under the influence of adriven member, such as a kicker roller 118, described more in detailhereinbelow.

Filler support 114 is attached by bolts 117 passingthrough slots 110 insupport flanges 108. The purpose of open end slots 110 is to adapt astructure embodying the invention for ready installation betweenkickbacks K where, because of space requirements, the width of space Smay vary. These slots provide means for making such adjustments as arenecessary in order to effect a proper installation.

The filler support 114 also is provided with a transverse groove 120,which, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 6, is U-shaped in cross section inwhich is secured a rubber strip 122. The top edge of strip 122 isinclined from each end towards the center. Rubber strip or block 122 issqueezed by a ball passing through an opening 12 and thereby assists inits movement from alleys A or B into position to be elevated by belt 42.

Also mounted between the kickbacks K and secured to the flanges 108 ofbrackets 102 is a second filler support member 130 conforming generallyin shape with filler support 114 and spaced therefrom to form a slot ortransverse opening 132 to permit projection and oscillat ing movement ofa paddle or rubber support rod 134 which is described more in detailhereinafter. Member 130 is secured by means of bolts 137 (FIGURE 3)protruding through suitable open end slots 138 provided in the supportflanges 108 of brackets 102.

The filler support 114 at the center portion of its uppermost end isprovided with a cut-out 136 (FIGURES 2 and 7) through which protrudes arubber pad 139 preferably detachably held by a suitable shell 140carried by a pair of spaced arms 142 and 144. Arms 142 and 144 arepivotally supported bya suitable stud 146 held by means of sleeve 148welded to one of the flanges of bracket 98. A torsion spring 150encircles stud 146.

One end of spring engages bracket 98; the other end contacts the bottomside of the pad carrying shell 140. Spring 150 is employed for thepurpose of urging rubber pad 139 into the path of an incoming ball andasserting pressure against the same, so that elevator belt 42 has afirmer and instant grip on the ball, thereby resulting in a fasterdelivery of a 'ball to station II. The upward urge of pad 139 by spring150 is checked by means of stop lug 152 (FIGURES 7 and 8) attached tothe upper edge of the free end of the pad-supporting arm 144 andcontacting the lower side of one of the spaced rods or tubes 88 of balltrack 68. For added guidance of the ball onto the return ball track 68the upper side edges 154 of the filler support 114 are provided withcurved surfaces 155 in a-trough-like fashion, as illustrated in FIGURE8.

In order to assist a ball entering space S through an opening 12 ineither kickback K to ride up the inclined surface 116 of the fillersupport 114 for engagement by the ball elevator belt 42, a balladvancing member, such as a resilient rotating kicker roller 118 ismounted adjacent each opening 12 and between kickbacks K, as illustratedin FIGURES l, 2, 3 and 6. Rollers 118, which are positively driven, areprovided for the purpose of engaging each ball moving from a pit 2through a ball door 12 and giving it an additional forward movement orpush and thereby insure its positive delivery to station I into therange of operation of the ball elevating mechanism. In this manner eachball is rapidly engaged between pad 138, belt 42 and track 68 fordelivery to station II.

Each roller 118 is secured to the top end of a shaft 156, rotatablysupported in a suitable bearing bracket 158. Rollers 118 are formed ofrubber or other suitable type of elastomeric resilient frictionalmaterial. Each bracket 158 is provided with a pair of arms or lugs 160which are integral therewith and project outwardly from the centerportion thereof. The free ends of each pair of arms 160 of each bearingbracket 158 pivotally engage with and are supported by a transverseshaft 162 held by suitable bearing lugs 164 of bracket 166 secured bybolts 168 to a pair of angle brackets 170, one of each of which ismounted on the inside wall of each kickback K. A plurality of washers163 encircling shaft 162 between arms 160 maintain brackets 158 inproper spacing on shaft 162. A pulley 172 is secured to the lower end ofeach shaft 156. Each pulley 172 is driven through belt 174 by a pulley176, each of which is integral with a larger pulley 178 mounted on anindividual pit conveyor driving shaft 180, one of each serving alley Aand B.

Each belt 174 is led over a pair of idler tension pulleys 182, pivotallymounted on and supported by tension arm 184, pivotally mounted at oneend on horizontal shaft 186 supported in bearing lugs 188 integral withand projecting from bracket 166. The free end of each tension arm 184 isconnected to one end of a tension spring 190. The other ends of springs190 are anchored to a horizontal stud shaft 192 mounted in a suitableboss 194 (FIGURE 2) secured to the inner wall of one of the kickbacks K.Arms 184 are maintained in desired spaced relationship on shaft 186 by aplurality of washers 185. The tension mounting of each pair of pulleys182 through belt 17 4 and pulley 1-72 on shaft v156 ur-ges each bearingbracket 158 which carries shaft 156 and roller 118 to swing in aclockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE 1, so that the roller 118 ispartially in the path of a ball when the latter enters space S in movingout of a pit 2 through the opening 12 in a kickback K. This downward orinnermost position of each roller 118, is controlled by means of theupper edges of second filler support member 130 which acts as a stop(FIGURE 3) for the bearing brackets 158 for the shafts 156. When a ballmoves through an opening 12 in a kickback it is engaged by therespective rotating roller 118, just described, adjacent the respectivekickback and the ball, due to the tension mounting of the bracket 158and its associated mechanism described above pushes the roller 118 andbracket 158 upwardly or to the left as viewed in FIGURE 1. The action ofa roller 118 on a ball is such that it presses yieldingly thereagainstand gives the ball the added momentum or forward movement mentionedheretofore.

In order to prevent pins from entering through an opening into space Swhere they would interfere with the ball and cause jams and to insurethe removal of such pins if this should occur, a horizontallyoscillating paddle or rudder 200 is provided to push any pin which mayenter through the opening 12 back onto pin conveyor 4 in the pit ofalley A or B. Rudder 200 is provided with a cutout portion 201 (FIGURES1 and 6) which enables it to move into close adjacency with kickbacks K,free from obstruction by kicker rollers 118.

Paddle or rudder 200 is secured to one end of a tubular arm or rod 134,the other end of which is mounted on a horizontal hub 204 of anoscillating member 206 which is provided with vertical bearing lugs 208(FIGURE 1) rotatably supported on vertical shaft 210. The ends of shaft210 are mounted in spaced brackets 212 secured to suitable flanges ofkickbacks K (FIGURES 1 and A horizontal boss 214 extending outwardlyfrom upper bearing lug 208 carries a stud 216 which is pivotallyconnected to a conventional self-aligning ball type of swivel lug 218,attached to a suitable conventional hydraulic dash pot 220 such as onedesignated as number 8270-2006, made by The Gabriel Company, Cleveland,Ohio. This dash pot is a two-way resistance unit, which is calibrated tomeet the operating conditions to which it is subjected. In operation,the hydraulic fluid can flow from one side to the other through acontrol valve (not shown) when pressure is applied to rudder 200, as bya ball. The calibration is such that dash pot 220 is not actuated whenrudder 200 is engaged only by a pin. Piston rod 222 of each .dash pot220 is connected to crank pin 224 on pulley 226 rotatably supported bystud shaft 228 mounted in a suitable bearing hub integral with one ofthe kickbacks K (FIGURES 2 and 5).

Pulley 226 is driven by belt 230 from pulley 232 mounted on horizontalshaft 234 rotatably supported by a pair of spaced bearing arms 236(FIGURE 1) loosely mounted on horizontal shaft 238 which in turn looselysupports a pair of spaced brackets 240 loosely mounted on horizontalstud shaft 192. A suitable torsion spring (not shown) encircling shaft238 coacts with arms 236 and 240 and provides the desired tensioningaction on belts 230 and 244. Also mounted on shaft 234 is a largerpulley 242 which is driven through belt 244 from pulley 246 keyed to themain drive shaft 58 (FIGURE 4). It

will be apparent that through the driving mechanism described above, therotating crank pin 224 on the hub of pulley 226 through piston rod 222and its connected piston will effect a reciprocating motion of dash pot220. Since the self-aligning ball swivel lug 218 carried by dash pot 220is connected to the horizontal boss 214 of the member 206, thereciprocating motion of the dash pot 200 imparts oscillating motion tothe member 206 and thus through rod 134 to paddle or rudder 200.

In operation, paddle or rudder 200 oscillates from side to side, or backand forth, in space S between kickbacks K, as indicated by the arrow 0and the two dotted positions of the paddle 200' shown in FIGURE 5, thuspushing any pin which may have entered or which is attempting to enterspace S back through either one of the openings 12 in kickbacks K backinto pit 2 of the respective alley.

However, as mentioned above, the dash pot 220 is so calibrated that whena ball moves through an opening 12 and is engaged by the paddle on itsapproaching stroke, the operating members of dash pot 220 yield inresponse to the pressure exerted by the ball against paddle 200.Depending on the position at which the paddle 200 is arrested by a ball,a momentary arrest of the ball may occur. However, the ball will followthe paddle to its disposal position as soon as said paddle 200 is causedto change its direction of travel by the mechanism describedhereinabove. Since the paddle 200 oscillates quite rapidly through thespace between the kickbacks and the ball, after entering the opening 12is positively urged by one of the rollers 118, the ball isforced to itsdisposal position in the center of the kickbacks without delay.

A range of twenty-five-forty-five oscillations per minute or otherdesired rate can be used in effecting the movement of rudder 200. It hasbeen found that with thirtyfive -or thirty-six oscillations per minuteexcellent results are obtained. Any desired increase or decrease in theoscillatory movement of rudder 200 can be made by increasing ordecreasing the rotation of shaft 228.

In order to limit the extent of the oscillating motion of the paddle 200its supporting rod 136 may be provided wit-h a suitable stop bracket 248(FIGURE 5) attached thereto and carrying a pair of spaced rubber stopbuttons 250.

The machine is so arranged that the main drive shaft 58 of the ball andpin handling mechanism may be actuated or driven when either alley A orB is used alone or when both alleys are in operation at the same time.For this reason each alley is provided with its own motor M which is setin motion at the start of the game in the respective alley. To eachmotor shaft 252 (FIGURE 1) is mounted a pulley 254 and each pulleydrives a belt 256 which runs over a pulley 178 and also over a pulley258. As illustrated in FIGURE 2 one of the pulleys 178 drives the pitconveyor 4 in alley A and also drives the ball kicker roller 118adjacent the opening 12 in the kickback of that alley. The other pulley178 drives pit conveyor 4 in alley B and the ball kicker roller 118adjacent opening 12 in the kickback of that alley. The two pulleys 258over each of which one of the driving belts 256 runs are rotatablymounted on individual sleeves or bushings 260 (FIGURE 4) both of whichare loosely supported by the shaft 58. The hub of each pulley isprovided with a suitable recess 262 which engages with one end of aconventional spring clutch 264. The other end of one of the clutchesprojects into a recess of the pulley 246 which drives the paddle 200 asdescribed heretofore and the other end of the second clutch projectsinto a recess of a collar 266 keyed to the shaft 58. It will be apparentthat when one of the pulleys 258 is driven through belt 256 by itsrespective motor, the spring clutch 264 either engages with the pulley246 or the collar 266 as the case may be. Since pulley 246, as well ascollar 266, is keyed to shaft 58 the driving of either pulley 258 willimpart driving motion or rotation to the main drive shaft 58. Asindicated above, however, the rotation of one pulley 258 will effect thedriving of only that ball kicker roller 118 and pit conveyor belt 4which is associated with the alley in operation. Each driving belt 256is also provided with a belt tightener pulley 268 (FIGURE 1) each ofwhich is rotatably mounted on a stud shaft 270 held by an arm 272. Thearms 272 of the two belt tighteners are pivotally supported by atransverse shaft 274 and provided with a suitably anchored tensionspring 276, the ends of which are secured to shafts 270 and an arm oflevers 271, loosely mounted on shaft 74. Each lever 271 is provided withanother arm 273 (FIGURE l), the free end of which engages with a crossrib 273 of the forked arm 70. Transverse shaft 274 is held and supportedby suitable bosses on the inner walls of the kickbacks K.

The construction just described insures that proper tensioning will atall times be applied to frame F while a ball is being rolled upwardly bybelt 42 along track 68 to station II. Also, because of spring 276, whena ball reaches station II, it will be seen that spring 276 coacts withframe F and belt 42 in effecting the desired propelling of a ball alongthe downsweep section of return run way R for return to a bowler.

As viewed in FIGURE 1, in its normal inoperative position, frame F is solocated that the lower end of belt 42 is positioned to be engaged by aball, as the ball moves 9 sideways from the pit of either alley A or Bunder the influence of a kicker roller 118 into ball elevating posi tionin station I. During the time that belt 42 is rolling a ball upwardlyalong track 68, frame F is swung upwardly to the left, as viewed inFIGURE 1, and the lower end of belt 42 then is located with respect tostation I in such manner that belt 42 cannot engage another ball untilthe ball which is being rolled along track 68 has been ejected atstation II. Thus the construction of the ball elevating mechanism 40 issuch that only one ball at a time can be lifted and hence ball jamscannot occur. This is particularly desirable in installations wherebowling balls travel beneath a portion Of a bowling lane en route to thebowlingend of a bowling lane where it is important that no stoppagesoccur at intermediate points between the pit end of a bowling lane andthe head, or approach end thereof.

It will be appreciated that as used herein, the terms bowling alleys andbowling lanes are synonymous.

As illustrated hereinabove, calibrated dash pot 220 is disclosed asproviding the desired yieldable driving connection in the operatingmechanism for rudder 200. It will be appreciated, however, that anyother suitable conventional type of yieldable calibrated drivingconnection could be used in order to obtain the same result. Thisconnection is provided for the purpose of allowing rudder 200 to yieldunder the pressure of a bowling ball (which may weigh between and 16pounds) but not under the pressure exerted thereagainst by a pin whichmay weigh approximately 3 /2 pounds.

The mechanism embodying the invention insures the proper delivery ofbowling balls moving out of the pits of two side-by-side alleys into therange of operation of a common bowling ball elevating apparatus. Eventhough two balls should move through the openings in the two adjacentkickbacks substantially simultaneously, the operation of the novel ballhandling rudder is such that no obstruction can occur which wouldprevent the rapid delivery of one or the other of the balls to the ballelevating apparatus for return to a player. Thus, the return of balls iseffected with markedly increased rapidity than heretofore known in theart.

Also, because of the novel mechanism embodying the invention theseparation of pins from balls, and the minimizing of possible ball jamsis decreased to such an extent that they can be termed practicallyeliminated.

What we claim is:

1. A bowling ball and pin handling apparatus comprising a bowling ballelevating device, means mounting said device in operative positionexteriorly of the kickback of a bowling alley, said kickback having anopening through which a ball may exit from the pit of said alley, ballsupport means mounted without said opening and coacting with saidelevating device to receive and support a ball exiting from said pit ofsaid alley, movable means mounted exteriorly of said kickback forengaging and moving any pins tending to pass out of said pit throughsaid opening onto said support means back through said opening into saidpit, driving means for movingsaid movable means to and from said openinga plurality of times during a given time cycle, and means for conveyingsuch pins from said opening.

2. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said support means comprisesan inclined plane, and wherein said -movable means comprises asubstantially vertical rudder,

and said driving means oscillate said rudder back and forth in ahorizontal path of travel relative to said opening to effect the removalof pins from said support means back into said pit.

3. The invention defined in claim 1, including means mounted exteriorlyof said kickback above the path of travel of a ball for engaging a ballpassing through said opening and propelling it upon said support meansinto the range of operation of said ball elevating device.

4. The invention defined in claim 3, wherein said lastnamed meanscomprises a friction surface roller, means mounting said roller foryielding movement into engagement with a ball passing therebeneath, andmeans for rotating said roller to cause a ball engaged thereby toadvance on said support means into the range of operation of said ballelevating device.

5. A bowling ball and pin handling apparatus comprising a bowling ballelevating device, means mounting said device in operative positionexteriorly of the kickback of a bowling alley, said kickback having anopening through which a ball may exit from the pit of said alley, ballsupport means coacting with said elevating deviceto receive and supporta ball exiting from said pit of said alley, movable means mountedexteriorly of said kickback for engaging and moving any pins tending topass out of said pit through said opening into said pit, means forconveying such pins from said opening, means engaging a ball passingthrough said opening and propelling it upon said support means into therange of operation of said ball elevating device, said last-named meanscomprising a friction surface roller, means mounting said roller foryielding movement into engagement with a ball passing therebeneath,means for rotating said roller to cause a ball engaged thereby toadvance on said support means into the range of operation of said ballelevating device, and a strip of elastomeric material mounted on saidsupport means for firmly holding a ball being advanced by said rollerupon said support means for engagement and elevation by said elevatingdevice.

6. The invention defined in claim 5, wherein said ball elevating deviceincludes spaced, generally vertically positioned ball tracks, an endlessbelt spaced from said tracks for rolling a ball upwardly therealong to apoint of discharge therefrom, and curved guides carried by said supportmeans coacting with the lower ends of said spaced tracks assisting inpositioning a ball for rolling by said belt along said tracks.

7. The invention defined in claim 6, including a resilient elastomericpad located between said tracks and adjacent their lower ends, and aresiliently supported member mounting said pad to project it outwardlybetween said tracks into position to be engaged by a ball moving intothe range of action of said belt.

8. Ball and pin handling apparatus for use with a bowling alley having apit at one end, a conveyor in said pit for conveying balls and pinsreceived thereon to sepparated points of delivery therefrom, kickbackslocated at opposite sides of said pit, and a ball discharge opening inone of said kickbacks at the point of discharge of balls from saidconveyor, mechanism for insuring the exiting of balls only from said pitthrough said opening in said kickback comprising a vertical rudder,means mounting said rudder exteriorly of said kickback for movement toand from said opening, a ball support located without said openingbeneath said rudder, and driving means for oscillating said rudder backand forth to and from said opening a plurality of times during a giventime cycle to push any pins moving through or attempting to move throughsaid opening back onto said conveyor for delivery thereby to said pointof pin delivery in said pit.

9. The invention defined in claim 8, wherein said lastnamed meansincludes a yieldable operating member, and means controlling theoperation of said member to actuate said rudder to push a pin backthrough said ball discharge opening onto said conveyor in said pit, butto yield in response to the pressure of a ball against said rudderwhereby said ball can pass completely through said opening onto saidsupport.

10. The invention defined in claim 9, including means mounted exteriorlyof said one kickback above the path of travel of a ball for engaging aball after it has passed partially through said opening for advancing itonto said support, and ball elevating mechanism operative to engage aball on said support for elevating said ball to a point of dischargefrom said mechanism.

11. Ball and pin handling apparatus for use with a pair of side-by-sidebowling alleys, each having a pit at one end, a conveyor in each of saidpits for conveying balls and pins received thereon to separate points ofdelivery therefrom, kickbacks at the sides of said pit, said alleysbeing mounted with adjacent kickbacks spaced apart a distance greaterthan the maximum diameter of a bowling ball, and a bowling balldischarge opening in each of said adjacent kickbacks, comprising bowlingball support means located in the space between the two openings in saidkickbacks, a vertical rudder located above said support means, meansmounting said rudder for oscillatory movement to and from each of saidopenings, mechanism for oscillating said rudder a plurality of timeswithin a given time cycle, said mechanism including a yieldableconnection member operative to allow one ball only at a time to move toa centralized position on said support member, and ball elevatingmechanism operative to engage and lift said last-named ball to anelevated point of discharge.

12. The invention defined in claim 11, wherein said ball elevatingmechanism comprises a frame mounting an endless relatively narrowconveyor having a ball engaging lap, track means spaced from said belt adistance less than the maximum diameter of a bowling ball, means biasingsaid frame towards said track to position said belt at said distancefrom said track, and resilient means coacting with said tracks inassisting the engagement of a ball on said support means between saidbelt and said tracks for rolling along said tracks by said lap of saidbelt.

13. The invention defined in claim 11, including positively actuatedbowling ball propelling devices, means mounting one of said devicesadjacent each of said openings for engagement with a ball passing out ofa pit of an alley through said opening, and means for actuating saiddevices to propel a ball engaged thereby onto said support means forlifting engagement by said ball elevating mechanism.

14. The invention defined in claim 13, wherein each of said devicesincludes a friction surface kicker roller, pivotal supports for each ofsaid rollers, and yieldable means biasing each of said supports tolocate said rollers in the path of travel of balls exiting from saidpits, whereby a ball may pass beneath one of said rollers and then beadvanced thereby onto said support means.

15. The invention defined in claim 14, wherein said support meansprovides inclined planes up which balls may roll from said openings intoposition to be engaged between said belt and tracks, said inclinedplanes being operative to coact with said rudder in effecting theremoval of pins which may have entered upon said support means back intosaid conveyors in said pit in response to the oscillating movement ofsaid rudder.

16. Ball and pin handling apparatus for use with two side-by-sidebowling lanes having-kickbacks located at the sides of each of the pitsof said lanes, and two adjacent kickbacks spaced from each other adistance greater than the maximum diameter of a bowling ball, each ofsaid adjacent kickbacks being provided with a ball exit opening throughwhich balls may exits from said pits into the space between saidadjacent kickbacks, a ball elevating mechanism mounted in the spacebetween said adjacent kickbacks, a ball and pin separating rudderlocated in said space and coacting with said mechanism, means for movingsaid rudder back and forth between said openings to push any pinstending to enter said space back into said pit, and control meansassociated with said last-named means for discriminatnig between theweight of a ball and a pin whereby a ball may exit from a pit into saidspace for elevation by said mechanism.

17. The invention defined in claim 16 wherein said mechanism comprises aframe supporting an endless ball propelling belt and a ball supporttrack spaced from said belt, means mounting said frame to dispose saidbelt on one side of said openings in said kickbacks, means mounting saidtrack on the opposite side of said openings in ball receivingrelationship relative to said belt, and means for propelling ballsexiting through said openings in said kickbacks sideways into ballengaging position between said belt and track.

18. A bowling ball elevating apparatus comprising a generally upwardlyextending ball track including spaced rails for supporting a bowlingball for delivery from a receiving station to a ball discharge station,an endless belt having an active ball engaging lap for rolling a ballupwardly along said track to said discharge station, a frame supportingsaid belt, spaced pivotally mounted levers supporting said frame formovement to and from said track, a ball support located at saidreceiving station beneath said belt and the lower ends of said rails, aresilient ball engaging pad at said receiving station positioned betweenthe lower ends of said rails, means mounting said pad to extendoutwardly between said rails into position to be engaged by a balldelivered to said receiving station, and mean for engaging a ball movingtowards said receiving station to propel it forwardly into said stationwhere said ball is engaged by said lap of said belt for rolling therebyupwardly along said rails to said discharge station, said last-namedmeans comprising a resilient roller, and means mounting said roller foryielding movement into engagement with a ball passing thereby, and meansfor driving said roller.

19. A bowling ball elevating apparatus comprising a generally upwardlyextending ball track along which a ball is rolled from a receivingstation to a delivery station comprising a frame, means mounting saidframe for movement to and from said track, an endless 'belt carried bysaid frame, said belt having a ball engaging lap normally spaced fromsaid track a distance less than the maximum diameter of a bowling ball,means for delivering a ball sideways from the pit of a bowling lane intoa position to be gripped between said belt and said track, means fordriving said belt to roll said ball upwardly along said track, meanscoacting with said frame for maintaining said belt adjacent saidreceiving station positioned a distance greater than the maximumdiameter of a bowling ball during the time while said belt is travelinga, ball along said track to said discharge station whereby to prevent asecond ball from being rolled along said track concurrently with saidfirst ball, said belt and track being located in the space betweenadjacent kickbacks of two side by side bowling lanes, and each of saidkickbacks being provided with an opening through which balls may exitfrom the pits of said two side by side lanes, and a common movable ballengaging member coacting with each of said openings to be engaged 'by'balls and control their exit from said pits through said openings toeffect the separate, spaced elevation of single 'balls by said belt tosaid discharge stations.

20. A bowling ball elevating apparatus comprising a generally upwardlyextending ball track along which a *ball is rolled from a receivingstation to a delivery station comprising a frame, means mounting saidframe for movement to and from said track, an endless belt carried bysaid frame, said belt having a ball engaging lap normally spaced fromsaid track a distance less than the maximum diameter of a bowling ball,means for delivering a ball sideways from the pit of a bowling lane intoa position to be gripped between said belt and said track, means fordriving said belt to roll said ball upwardly along said track, meanscoacting with said frame for maintaining said belt adjacent saidreceiving station positioned a distance greater than the maximumdiameter of a bowling 'ball during the time while said belt is travelinga ball along said track to said discharge station whereby to prevent asecond ball from being rolled along said track concurrently with saidfirst ball, said belt and track being located in the space betweenadjacent kickbacks of two side-by-side bowling lanes, and each of saidkick-backs is provided with an opening through which balls may exit fromthe pits of said two side-by-side lanes, a common movable membercoacting with each of said openings to control the exit of balls fromsaid pits through said openings to effect the separate, spaced elevationof single balls by said belt to said discharge station, said memberincluding a vertical, generally planar rudder of a size suflicient toblock the exit of a ball through an opening in a kickback, and means formoving said rudder back and forth in a substantially horizontal plane tocontrol the exiting movement of balls from the pits of sad lanes throughsaid openings.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Keesling 27349Zuercher et a1. 27349 Gruss 27349 X Gruss et a1 27349 X Easterling etal. 27349 Cougelli et a1 27349 Zuercher 27349 DELBERT B. LOWE, PrimaryExaminer.

ANTON O. OECHSLE, Examiner.

1. A BOWLING BALL AND PIN HANDLING APPARATUS COMPRISING A BOWLING BALLELEVATING DEVICE, MEANS MOUNTING SAID DEVICE IN OPERATIVE POSITIONEXTERIORLY OF THE KICKBACK OF A BOWLING ALLEY, SAID KICKBACK HAVING ANOPENING THROUGH WHICH A BALL MAY EXIT FROM THE PIT OF SAID ALLEY, BALLSUPPORT MEANS MOUNTED WITHOUT SAID OPENING AND COACTING WITH SAIDELEVATING DEVICE TO RECEIVE AND SUPPORT A BALL EXITING FROM SAID PIT OFSAID ALLEY, MOVABLE MEANS MOUNTED EXTERIORLY OF SAID KICKBACK FORENGAGING AND MOVING ANY PINS TENDING TO PASS OUT OF SAID PIT THROUGHSAID OPENING ONTO SAID SUPPORT MEANS BACK THROUGH SAID OPENING INTO SAIDPIT, DRIVING MEANS FOR MOVING SAID MOVABLE MEANS TO AND FROM SAIDOPENING A PLURALITY OF TIMES DURING A GIVEN TIME CYCLE, AND MEANS FORCONVEYING SUCH PINS FROM SAID OPENING.